Stories

Lola Bellido’s rise as a community leader began with developing her own core self-esteem. Now, she helps other women cultivate their own leadership.

Evelin Acuna is an indigenous leader that believes that training, education and information about indigenous rights strengthens her community and enhances self-esteem.

Raquel Hernández has learned that leadership begins by liberating oneself. She is now mobilizing her community to earn income for a community savings fund to improve their health clinic.

Gadisa Arado has worked to tackle corruption and HIV/AIDS and to promote credit and savings, income-generating activities, environmental sanitation and compost preparation in his community.

Gilberto Orozco, a local high school teacher, has been volunteering with The Hunger Project since 2005. He has a commitment to humanity, which he demonstrates by actively training new volunteers.

Shilpi Akter created an informal education program for 50 women and men. They have learned to read and regularly discuss gender-related issues in the community.

Linda Asantewa is a living example of how The Hunger Project’s work is impacting the lives of village women, especially, and empowering them to play key leadership roles in their communities.

Through the African Woman Food Farmer Initiative, Messe Chauque has increased farm production and now earns enough money to send her children to school.

B. Rani Devaraj works with economically disadvantaged communities to create better learning environments and improve local sanitation.

Traditional doctor, Nelly Marcos Manrique, participated in several training programs, which gave her insight into positive changes she could make for her community.

This volume documents the path breaking strides being taken by 118 elected women representatives across the country in ensuring that children attend school, that their villages are equipped with adequate health facilities and that all sections of the population are aware of and can access government schemes.

This publication is a compilation of the profiles of 51 women leaders who represent the one million elected women leaders in Panchayats who struggle every day to change the development agenda of their villages.

Five case studies of members of the first African Woman Food Farmer Initiative (AWFFI) loan groups at Jaldu Epicenter in Ethiopia. These women received their first loans in June 2005 and successfully repaid their loans in June 2006.

Learn more about 18-year-old Hunger Project catalyst Ricarda’s journey toward confidence and empowerment through “The Sun of the Butterflies” project in Mexico.

Anjuman, after being married at age 12, is now an elected woman representative in Bangladesh. She recounts how Hunger Project trainings helped her unleash her creativity and contribute to her family, society and country.

Patricia Martínez shares how The Hunger Project’s trainings in her community in Oaxaca, Mexico empowered her to stand up and express her opinions without fear.

Consuleo Inuma Tangoa, a 70-year-old from the indigenous Shawi community, shares her experiences as a midwife and how the new health centers have helped this traditional practice.

Fátima Filimonecossa, 55, from Mozambique, shares how the epicenter’s adult literacy program has helped her achieve something she never thought possible.

Dianda Noaga of Boulkon Epicenter in Burkina-Faso shares how several training in new technologies have helped his family save money and stay food secure.